The Multi-Talented Stephen Masty

Sworders were delighted to offer the collection of the late Stephen Masty in the Tuesday 15 November Homes & Interiors sale
Stephen J. Masty (1954-2015) was a speech writer and international development specialist who wrote for various heads of state, policy decision makers and legislators. His work includes having written speeches for Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan, George Bush and Hamid Karzai.

Masty was an eccentric member of London's Savile Club but spent his time equally between London, England, Kabul, Afghanistan and Katmandu, Nepal. His estate reflects his many travels and diverse interests. He visited 66 countries and collected artifacts from locals in each region. His talents ranged from performing music to cartooning and illustrating manuscripts which are reflected by the diverse nature of his collection (ranging from swords and armor to fine art, from British military collectables to religious art, and from walking sticks to snuff boxes).

For over twenty five years Masty lived in the Punjab doing charitable work while the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan took place. Later in life, Masty worked for the Adam Smith Institute where he helped bring electricity into the rural parts of a half dozen countries on three continents.

Published thousands of times in various newspapers and magazines, Masty also wrote two books ("The Muslim and the Microphone -a study in terror miscommunication," and "The Test of the Magi"). The latter being a novel containing various ancient stories about the three king's journey to find the newly born Jesus Christ.